《凯斯宾王子》第十三章 王者决斗

CHAPTER THIRTEEN THE HIGH KING IN COMMAND

"NOW，"said Peter，as they finished their meal，"Aslan and the girls (that's Queen Susan and Queen Lucy，Caspian) are somewhere close.We don't know when he will act.In his time，no doubt，not ours.In the meantime he would like us to do what we can on our own.You say，Caspian，we are not strong enough to meet Miraz in pitched battle?"

"I'm afraid not，High King，"said Caspian.He was liking Peter very much，but was rather tongue-ied.It was much stranger for him to meet the great Kings out of the old stories than it was for them to meet him.

"Very well，then，"said Peter，"I'll send him a challenge to single combat."No one had thought of this before.

"Please，"said Caspian，"could it not be me? I want to avenge my father."

"You're wounded，"said Peter."And anyway，wouldn't he just laugh at a challenge from you? I mean，we have seen that you are a king and a warrior but he thinks of you as a kid."

"But，Sire，"said the Badger，who sat very close to Peter and never took his eyes off him."Will he accept a.challenge even from you? He knows he has the stronger.army."

"Very likely he won't，"said Peter，"but there's always the chance.And even if he doesn't，we shall spend the best part of the day sending heralds to and fro and all that.By then Aslan may have done something.And at least I can inspect the army and strengthen the position.I will send the challenge.In fact I will write it at once.Have you pen and ink，Master Doctor?"

"A scholar is never without them，your Majesty，"answered Doctor Cornelius.

"Very well，I will dictate，"said Peter.And while the Doctor spread out a parchment and opened his ink-horn and sharpened his pen，Peter leant back with half-closed eyes and recalled to his mind the language in which he had written such things long ago in Narnia's golden age.

"Right，"he said at last."And now，if you are ready，Doctor?"

Doctor Cornelius dipped his pen and waited.Peter dictated as follows:

"Peter，by the gift of Aslan，by election，by prescription，and by conquest，High King over all Kings in Narnia，Emperor of the Lone Islands and Lord of Cair Paravel，Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Lion，to Miraz，Son of Caspian the Eighth，sometime Lord Protector of Narnia and now styling himself King of Narnia，Greeting.Have you got that?"

"Narnia，comma，greeting，"muttered the Doctor."Yes，Sire."

"Then begin a new paragraph，"said Peter.For to prevent the effusion of blood，and for the avoiding all other inconveniences likely to grow from the wars now levied in our realm of Narnia，it is our pleasure to adventure our royal person on behalf of our trusty and well-beloved Caspian in clean wager of battle to prove upon your Lordship's body that the said Caspian is lawful King under us in Narnia both by our gift and by the laws of the Telmarines，and your Lordship twice guilty of treachery both in withholding the dominion of Narnia from the said Caspian and in the most abhominable，-don't forget to spell it with an H，Doctor-bloody，and unnatural murder of your kindly lord and brother King Caspian Ninth of that name.Wherefore we most heartily provoke，challenge，and defy your Lordship to the said combat and monomachy，and have sent these letters by the hand of our well beloved and royal brother Edmund，sometime King under us in Narnia，Duke of Lantern Waste and Count of the Western March，Knight of the Noble Order of the Table，to whom we have given full power of determining with your Lordship all the conditions of the said battle.Given at our lodging in Aslan's How this XII day of the month Greenroof in the first year of Caspian Tenth of Narnia.

"That ought to do，"said Peter，drawing a deep breath.

"And now we must send two others with King Edmund.I think the Giant ought to be one."

"He's-he's not very clever，you know，"said Caspian.

"Of course not，"said Peter."But any giant looks impressive if only he will keep quiet.And it will cheer him up.But who for the other?"

"Upon my word，"said Trumpkin，"if you want someone who can kill with looks，Reepicheep would be the best."

"He would indeed，from all I hear，"said Peter with a laugh."If only he wasn't so small.They wouldn't even see him till he was close!"

"Send Glenstorm，Sire，"said Trufflehunter."No one ever laughed at a Centaur."

An hour later two great lords in the army of Miraz，the Lord Glozelle and the Lord Sopespian，strolling along their lines and picking their teeth after breakfast，looked up and saw coming down to them from the wood the Centaur and Giant Wimbleweather，whom they had seen before in battle，and between them a figure they could not recognize.Nor indeed would the other boys at Edmund's school have recognized him if they could have seen him at that moment.For Aslan had breathed on him at their meeting and a kind of greatness hung about him.

"What's to do?"said the Lord Glozelle."An attack?"

"A parley，rather，"said Sopespian."See，they carry green branches.They are coming to surrender most likely."

"He that is walking between the Centaur and the Giant has no look of surrender in his face，"said Glozelle."Who can he be? It is not the boy Caspian."

"No indeed，"said Sopespian."This is a fell warrior，I warrant you，wherever the rebels have got him from.He is (in your Lordship's private ear) a kinglier man than ever Miraz was.And what mail he wears! None of our smiths can make the like."

"I'll wager my dappled Pomely he brings a challenge，not a surrender，"said Glozelle.

"How then?"said Sopespian."We hold the enemy in our fist here.Miraz would never be so hair-brained as to throw away his advantage on a combat."

"He might be brought to it，"said Glozelle in a much lower voice.

"Softly，"said Sopespian."Step a little aside here out of earshot of those sentries.Now.Have I taken your Lordship's meaning aright?"

"If the King undertook wager of battle，"whispered Glozelle，"why，either he would kill or be killed."

"So，"said Sopespian，nodding his head.

"And if he killed we should have won this war."

"Certainly.And if not?"

"Why，if not，we should be as able to win it without the King's grace as with him.For I need not tell your Lordship that Miraz is no very great captain.And after that，we should be both victorious and kingless."

"And it is your meaning，my Lord，that you and I could hold this land quite as conveniently without a King as with one?"

Glozelle's face grew ugly."Not forgetting，"said he，"that it was we who first put him on the throne.And in all the years that he has enjoyed it，what fruits have come our way? What gratitude has he shown us?"

"Say no more，"answered Sopespian."But look-here comes one to fetch us to the King's tent."

When they reached Miraz's tent they saw Edmund and his two companions seated outside it and being entertained with cakes and wine，having already delivered the challenge，and withdrawn while the King was considering it.When they saw them thus at close quarters the two Telmarine lords thought all three of them very alarming.

Inside，they found Miraz，unarmed and finishing his breakfast.His face was flushed and there was a scowl on his brow.

"There!"he growled，flinging the parchment across the table to them."See what a pack of nursery tales our jackanapes of a nephew has sent us."

"By your leave，Sire，"said Glozelle."If the young warrior whom we have just seen outside is the King Edmund mentioned in the writing，then I would not call him a nursery tale but a very dangerous knight."

"King Edmund，pah!"said Miraz."Does your Lordship believe those old wives' fables about Peter and Edmund and the rest?"

"I believe my eyes，your Majesty，"said Glozelle.

"Well，this is to no purpose，"said Miraz，"but as touching the challenge，I suppose there is only one opinion between us?"

"I suppose so，indeed，Sire，"said Glozelle.

"And what is that?"asked the King.

"Most infallibly to refuse it，"said Glozelle."For though I have never been called a coward，I must plainly say that to meet that young man in battle is more than my heart would serve me for.And if (as is likely) his brother，the High King，is more dangerous than he-why，on your life，my Lord King，have nothing to do with him."

"Plague on you!"cried Miraz."It was not that sort of council I wanted.Do you think I am asking you if I should be afraid to meet this Peter (if there is such a man)? Do you think I fear him? I wanted your counsel on the policy of the matter; whether we，having the advantage，should hazard it on a wager of battle."

"To which I can only answer，your Majesty，"said Glozelle，"that for all reasons the challenge should be refused.There is death in the strange knight's face."

"There you are again!"said Miraz，now thoroughly angry."Are you trying to make it appear that I am as great a coward as your Lordship?"

"Your Majesty may say your pleasure，"said Glozelle sulkily.

"You talk like an old woman，Glozelle，"said the King."What say you，my Lord Sopespian?"

"Do not touch it，Sire，"was the reply."And what your Majesty says of the policy of the thing comes in very happily.It gives your Majesty excellent grounds for a refusal without any cause for questioning your Majesty's honour or courage."

"Great Heaven!"exclaimed Miraz，jumping to his feet."Are you also bewitched today? Do you think I am looking for grounds to refuse it? You might as well call me coward to my face."

The conversation was going exactly as the two lords wished，so they said nothing.

"I see what it is，"said Miraz，after staring at them as if his eyes would start out of his head，"you are as lily-livered as hares yourselves and have the effrontery to imagine my heart after the likeness of yours! Grounds for a refusal，indeed! Excuses for not fighting! Are you soldiers? Are you Telmarines? Are you men? And if I do refuse it (as ail good reasons of captaincy and martial policy urge me to do) you will think，and teach others to think，I was afraid.Is it not so?"

"No man of your Majesty's age，"said Glozelle，"would be called coward by any wise soldier for refusing the combat with a great warrior in the flower of his youth."

"So I'm to be a dotard with one foot in the grave，as well as a dastard，"roared Miraz."I'll tell you what it is，my Lords.With your womanish counsels (ever shying from the true point，which is one of policy) you have done the very opposite of your intent.I had meant to refuse it.But I'll accept it.Do you hear，accept it ! I'll not be shamed because some witchcraft or treason has frozen both your bloods."

"We beseech your Majesty-"said Glozelle，but Miraz had flung out of the tent and they could hear him bawling out his acceptance to Edmund.The two lords looked at one another and chuckled quietly.

"I knew he'd do it if he were properly chafed，"said Glozelle."But I'll not forget he called me coward.It shall be paid for."

There was a great stirring at Aslan's How when the news came back and was communicated to the various creatures.Edmund，with one of Miraz's captains，had already marked out the place for the combat，and ropes and stakes had been put round it.Two Telmarines were to stand at two of the corners，and one in the middle of one side，as marshals of the lists.Three marshals for the other two corners and the other side were to be furnished by the High King.Peter was just explaining to Caspian that he could not be one，because his right to the throne was what they were fighting about，when suddenly a thick，sleepy voice said，"Your Majesty，please."Peter turned and there stood the eldest of the Bulgy Bears."If you please，your Majesty，"he said，"I'm a bear，I am."

"To be sure，so you are，and a good bear too，I don't doubt，"said Peter.

"Yes，"said the Bear."But it was always a right of the，bears to supply one marshal of the lists."

"Don't let him，"whispered Trumpkin to Peter."He's a good creature，but he'll shame us all.He'll go to sleep and he will suck his paws.In front of the enemy too."

"I can't help that，"said Peter."Because he's quite right.The Bears had that privilege.I can't imagine how it has been remembered all these years，when so many other things have been forgotten."

"Please，your Majesty，"said the Bear.

"It is your right，"said Peter."And you shall be one of the marshals.But you must remember not to suck your paws."

"Of course not，"said the Bear in a very shocked voice.

"Why，you're doing it this minute!"bellowed Trumpkin.

The Bear whipped his paw out of his mouth and pretended he hadn't heard.

"Sire!"came a shrill voice from near the ground.

"Ah-Reepicheep!"said Peter after looking up and down and round as people usually did when addressed by the Mouse.

"Sire，"said Reepicheep."My life is ever at your command，but my honour is my own.Sire，I have among my people the only trumpeter in your Majesty's army.I had thought，perhaps，we might have been sent with the challenge.Sire，my people are grieved.Perhaps if it were your pleasure that I should be a marshal of the lists，it would content them."

A noise not unlike thunder broke out from somewhere overhead at this point，as Giant Wimbleweather burst into one of those not very intelligent laughs to which the nicer sorts of Giant are so liable.He checked himself at once and looked as grave as a turnip by the time Reepicheep discovered where the noise came from.

"I am afraid it would not do，"said Peter very gravely."Some humans are afraid of mice-"

"I had observed it，Sire，"said Reepicheep.

"And it would not be quite fair to Miraz，"Peter continued，"to have in sight anything that might abate the edge of his courage."

"Your Majesty is the mirror of honour，"said the Mouse with one of his admirable bows."And on this matter we have but a single mind...I thought I heard someone laughing just now.If anyone present wishes to make me the subject of his wit，I am very much at his service-with my sword-whenever he has leisure."

An awful silence followed this remark，which was broken by Peter saying，"Giant Wimbleweather and the Bear and the Centaur Glenstorm shall be our marshals.The combat will be at two hours after noon.Dinner at noon precisely."

"I say，"said Edmund as they walked away，"I suppose it is all right.I mean，I suppose you can beat him?"

"That's what I'm fighting him to find out，"said Peter.

第十三章 王者决斗

现在，他们吃过饭后，彼得说，"阿斯兰和女孩们就是苏珊女王和露茜女王就在附近。我们不确定他们会采取什么行动。很显然阿斯兰知道审时度势不会听我们指挥，但他也希望我们自己能大干一场。凯斯宾，你认为我们有没有胜算?"

恐怕不行，至尊王。凯斯宾说。他非常喜欢彼得，但与他在一起的时候又觉得自己嘴笨。两个不同年代的国王待在一起，卡斯宾觉得新奇又很有意思。

好吧，彼得说，"那我和他一对一进行挑战。"在场的人都从没有过这个想法。

可不可以让我来决斗?凯斯宾说，"我要为我父亲报仇。"

你受伤了。彼得说，"再说，他会嘲笑你。我是说，虽然我们大家都熟知你作为国王和勇士的风采。可他眼里，你只是个孩子。"

可是，陛下，说话的是獾，他挨着彼得而坐，默默地看着他，"他会迎战吗?他很清楚自己军力强盛。"

是的，他可能拒绝。彼得说，"但也不是不可能，就算他拒绝我们仍然可以派出使臣与他周旋。阿斯兰把握时机，彻底打败他们。而我们也可以趁机整理军队，加强防御。我要立刻下挑战书。博士，你有没有纸笔?"

学者身上从来不缺这些，陛下。克奈尔斯博士回答道。

非常好，我口述。彼得说。博士拿出纸笔。这时彼得靠在椅子上，闭着双眼在回忆纳尼亚的美好时代，他也曾下令写过这类战书。

那么，他开口问道，"现在你准备好了吗，博士?"

博士提笔等候，彼得口述如下：

阿斯兰在上，彼得凭民心所向，凭古代传统，赫赫战功，以以下名义--纳尼亚至尊王，孤独群岛与凯尔帕拉维尔的统治者，以及阿斯兰帐下的骑士，向凯斯宾八世之子，纳尼亚的护国公，现自封的纳尼亚国王的弥若兹致意。

写好了吗?弥若兹，逗号，致意，博士喃喃地说着，"好了，陛下。"

"另起一段，彼得继续说。为了避免流血牺牲，也为了避免这场战争会带来太多的伤亡和不幸，我受命至此，以国王身份向阁下发出个人挑战。证实如下：首先，根据纳尼亚传统及特尔玛法律，凯斯宾王子是纳尼亚王位的法定继承人。其次，阁下犯有两重大罪--谋杀兄长凯斯宾九世，篡夺王位并残暴统治。因此，我代表纳尼亚的正义势力向阁下提出宣战。若阁下愿意同我一决胜负，本人将非常荣幸。由我尊敬的兄弟爱德蒙，曾经的纳尼亚国王，灯柱荒原公爵、西部沼地伯爵、石台贵族骑士递交战书。若阁下对决斗有任何意见，他将代表我作任何决定。于阿斯兰堡，凯斯宾十世元年元月十二日。

"

行了，彼得深呼一口气，

"""现在，我们需要两名卫士与爱德蒙同行。我觉得，巨人可以算一个。"

他、他并不聪明，你是知道的。凯斯宾说。

是的，彼得说，"可巨人很有气势。再说委以重任会增强他的自豪感。不过，另一个派谁呢?"

在我看来，杜鲁普金说，"用眼神就能杀死人的勇士，非老鼠将军雷佩契普莫属。"

以我的经验，他能够胜任。彼得笑着说，"要是他再魁梧一点就好了，敌人不走到他跟前就没法看到他。"

派格兰仕托姆去，陛下，特鲁佛汉特说，"没人取笑过人马。"

一小时后的敌营里，弥若兹的贵族军官--哥洛和索皮，一边溜达一边剔牙齿。无意中发现了从树林里出来的巨人和人马，不由大惊失色。在先前的战斗中，他们早已领教过他们的厉害，他们还发现中间的那个人是个没见过的人。爱德蒙在与阿斯兰相会并被他吹过一口气之后，由表及里的改变了，成熟了、英俊了、活力四射，正气凛然。就是他的同学们，此时恐怕也不能一下子认出来。

他们来做什么?哥洛爵士说，"突然袭击?"

像是使节，索皮说，"你看绿色的树枝，是来投降的。"

但是走在巨人和人马中间的那人不像是要投降。哥洛说，"他是谁?不像凯斯宾。"

肯定不是，索皮说，"那是个勇猛的骑士，我向你保证。也不知那些叛贼们从哪儿找来的。可比弥若兹还要气派......小心隔墙有耳。瞧那些盔甲，咱们的铁匠可做不出来!"

我敢用这只梨打赌，他肯定是来下战书的，而不是来投降的。哥洛说。

怎么了?索皮说道，"我们已经控制了敌军，弥若兹不会贸贸然不顾时事和一个陌生人决斗的。"

也许他会上当。哥洛低声说。

轻点，索皮说，"可不能让那些放哨的听到了。现在，你能把话说得更清楚些吗?"

如果国王接受挑战，哥洛小声说，"那么不是把对方杀掉，就是被对方杀掉。"

是的。索皮点头。

如果他打赢了对手，那么我们就赢了。

那是当然。但如果不呢?

如果不这样，我们也可以胜利。大家心知肚明，弥若兹不是英明的君王。到那个时候，我们就没了国王，就可以......。

阁下，你是说，没有国王，我们就可以统治这片国土?

哥洛丑态毕现。"别忘了，"他说道，"是我们把他推上国王宝座。他却一个人享受荣华富贵，我们却没得到任何好处，不是吗?"

别说了，索皮打断他，"你看，国王传我们。"

两人到了帐篷，正好看到爱德蒙和两个卫士在帐篷外面用餐。看来，他们已经把战书呈上去，国王正在考虑。这两个军官近距离打量对手，不由得心惊胆战。

在帐篷里他们看到弥若兹卸下武装，正在吃早餐。他眉头紧锁，已经动怒。

看看!他咬着牙把战书从桌子那端扔过来。"我的宝贝侄子给我送来的东西!"

陛下容禀，哥洛说，"假如信中提到的爱德蒙国王就是外面的那个青年，我觉得他是个很危险的骑士，不能小觑。"

爱德蒙国王，呸!弥若兹说，"阁下也相信老婆子那些有关彼得、爱德蒙之类的天方夜谭?"

我相信自己的眼睛，陛下。哥洛答道。

哼，你的话没什么意义，弥若兹说，"该如何回复这个挑战，或许我们的意见会一致一些?"

我认为是这样的，陛下。 哥洛说。

是什么呢?国王问道。

应该拒绝，哥洛说，"尽管我不是懦夫，但说实话和一个年轻人交手，我的内心忐忑不安。很可能他的哥哥--那个至尊王会比他更加危险，所以为了安全考虑，还是不招惹他为好。"

大胆!弥若兹吼了起来，"我不想听到你这么回答,你以为我会怕那个叫彼得的吗?而且有没有这个人还不知道!你以为我怕他?哼，我只想听听你们的意见了，看目前有没有必要决斗。"

陛下，我唯一的答案，哥洛说，"就是拒绝，那骑士杀气很重。"

又来!这时，弥若兹已彻底动怒了，"你难道想让我和你一样贪生怕死?"

随陛下怎么说。哥洛悻悻地说道。

哥洛，你简直就像个乡下老太婆，弥若兹说，"索皮阁下，你怎么想?"

不管他，陛下。索皮答道，"最好的办法就是置之不理。陛下不拒绝，也不会有人怀疑陛下的勇气了。"

见鬼!弥若兹大叫着从椅子上跳了起来，"你也疯了吗?你以为我在为自己找借口吗?那你还不如直接叫我懦夫。"

眼看目的达到，两个大臣装得毕恭毕敬的不再吱声。

我懂了，半晌，弥若兹说，"你们两个胆小的家伙，真没用!一直找不战的借口。你们像不像军人?是不是台尔马人的子孙?算男子汉吗?如果我拒绝挑战，尽管我有理由这么做，我的经验和感觉告诉我应该这么做，但你们会认为，别人也会认为，我是不敢接受挑战，是不是?"

以陛下的年纪，哥洛说，"拒绝一个年轻人的挑战，没有人会说是胆怯。"

你的意思是，我不行了?弥若兹大声吼起来，"我倒要让你们看一看，各位!你们这种老婆子的劝告，只会南辕北辙!我本想拒绝挑战，可现在我正式宣布我接受。你们听清楚没有，我接受!你们应该感到羞耻。"

我们为陛下表示担心......哥洛的话还没完，弥若兹就已走出去。他大声对爱德蒙宣布应战，他们互相挤挤眼，偷偷地笑了。

我就知道，一被激怒他就会应战。哥洛说，"可是我记着，他竟然叫我懦夫。他会后悔的。"

使者的消息走漏了风声，阿斯兰城堡一阵骚动。爱德蒙和弥若兹手下划出了决斗的场地打下桩子，然后圈了起来。双方助手和公证人站在两端。此时，彼得一直给凯斯宾勇气，让他觉得自己并不孤独，这是一场正义之战。突然，一个略带睡意的粗嗓音响起："陛下，请准许。"彼得转过身，看到一只上了年纪的棕熊。"请准许我，"他说，"虽然我只是头棕熊。"

确实，你是棕熊，还是一只好棕熊，我绝不怀疑。彼得说道。

是的，大棕熊说，"决斗的公证人一向由熊家族担任。"

别让他去，杜鲁普金低声对彼得说，"不错，它虽心地善良，但去当公证人，会丢脸的。决斗没结束他就会睡着，还会当着敌人的面，舔它的爪子。"

我不能不准，彼得说，"它的话说得很对，熊家族有这个特权。虽然我已经遗忘很多旧事，但我对此印象却很深。"

请陛下准许。棕熊再次请求。

这是你们的权利，彼得说，"你就做助手吧。不过你一定要记住，决不能在那里舔爪子。"

当然不会。棕熊提高嗓门答道。

那为什么，你现在就在舔!杜鲁普金非常不悦。

棕熊赶紧把爪子从嘴里拿出来，装出什么事也没有发生。

陛下!一个尖叫声从近处传来。

啊--是雷佩契普!彼得环顾四周，才看见地上的鼠将军。

陛下，雷佩契普说，"我的生命属于你，但我的荣誉只属于我自己。陛下，我们老鼠部队有我们大军中唯一的吹鼓手。他们都以为会让我去下战书，结果没有，我的军队因此没了信心。如果能让我做决斗的助手，他们也该恢复斗志了。"

这时，他们上方响起震耳欲聋的声音，原来是巨人韦姆布威热傻乎乎的笑声，一个好巨人总是会在不合适的时候发出傻笑。雷佩契普瞪了他一眼，他才发觉自己失态了赶紧闭上了嘴。

恐怕不行，彼得惋惜地说，"有人害怕老鼠......"

我知道，陛下。雷佩契普说。

而且这对弥若兹不公平，彼得接着说，"我们不能安排一名可能影响他的助手，影响他的情绪和士气。"

陛下明察秋毫。鼠将军优雅地鞠了一躬，"这事我想得太简单了。难怪刚才有人在笑。如果有人想拿我找乐子，我愿意效劳--用我的剑--随时奉陪。"

听了这话之后沉默了许久。彼得打破沉默说："韦姆布威热、棕熊和格兰仕托姆将随我参战。下午两点开始决斗，中午按时吃饭。"

我说，他们离开后，爱德蒙说，"你是对的。我是说，你可以打败他的是吧?"

我会在战斗中，想方设法打败他。彼得说。